Finding peace through faith: the vital role of the church in South Sudan
The promise of a peaceful South Sudan, born in 2011, has been repeatedly challenged by the harsh realities of conflict. Since 2013, the nation has wrestled with a cycle of violence that has displaced millions and left communities fractured.
BEYOND THE STATISTICS lie the individuals’ stories: families torn apart, children deprived of their futures, and communities living in a constant state of fear.
The humanitarian needs are immense. Access to food, clean water, and basic healthcare is a daily struggle for countless South Sudanese. Yet, amidst this hardship, the desire for peace remains a powerful force.
The church is a pillar of text, FCA a catalyst for change.
In this challenging context, and the heart of these communities, the Church stands as a pillar of trust, a source of solace, and a potential bridge to reconciliation. Trusted by communities and deeply embedded within their social fabrics, religious leaders possess a unique capacity to mediate conflicts, promote dialogue, and foster healing.
Recognising this crucial role, FCA (Finn Church Aid) has strategically partnered with the Church in South Sudan to enhance its capacity for peace building. FCA’s approach is rooted in the understanding that sustainable peace requires a holistic and community-driven approach, addressing the root causes of conflict, making local actors to lead the way and empowering religious leaders to become active agents of peace.
Early Warning and Conflict Mitigation in Terekeka
One example is in Terekeka, a community in Central Equatoria State. Thanks to continuous support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland and in collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of Terekeka, FCA facilitated a workshop from February 25th to 26th, 2025.
Attendees worked on early warning signs of conflict and mitigation strategies. Over 40 church leaders took part from different locations, including Tali, Tindilo, Kawori, Northen Terekeka, Gemeiza, and Terekeka. The workshop responded to the urgent need for local, faith-based solutions to the ongoing challenges facing communities of the wider Terekeka County of which Terekeka is the capital.
In his opening remarks, The Director General Gadino Bota, emphasised the crucial need for collaboration between the Church and the government, suggesting that their joint efforts would significantly facilitate peace building processes. He highlighted the deep yearning for peace among the Mundri people, expressing that training and workshops on subjects such as early warning and conflict mitigation offer much-needed hope.
“In our villages, we face a lot of conflicts, and our people always turn to the government or the Church for help,” Director General Bota stated.
“You are the community leaders, living and engaging directly with families,” he continued, pointing out that church leaders, through their consistent interaction with communities, are uniquely positioned to identify emerging issues. Noting that all conflicts have a beginning and an end, he urged the church leaders to actively absorb and implement the training.
A participant shared that the workshop expanded his understanding, recognising that access to clean water, security, and education are fundamental to peace. ““I didn’t know the meaning or the difference of positive peace or negative peace.”
In his closing remarks, the Archbishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Terekeka (Central Equatoria Internal Province) Rt.Rev Paul Modi, underscored that the responsibility of peace lies primarily with religious leaders, reinforcing that peace is a collective endeavor.
Concluding the workshop, Hope Chichaya, the Peace and Reconciliation Advisor affirmed, “We must consciously choose non-violent responses to violence.”
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